FAQs

Interns

1. What is the HEE Clinical Scholar Silver Awards?

The Award programmes are structured opportunities designed to enable a practitioner considering a clinical research career to gain mentored learning experience of working within a research environment and develop their ability to compete for formal research training.

2. What do the Awards cover?

A single payment of up to £7,500 can be offered per Clinical Scholar to their NHS organisation, which could cover; contribution to salary and incidental costs; education, training and support costs, travel expenses and other costs reasonably incurred by the Clinical Scholar. We are aware that in some circumstances this funding will not be enough to cover expenses and additional costs incurred as well as salary support. In these circumstances it is the responsibility of the employer to manage the amount that can be spent to mitigate any financial risk incurred.

3. Who is eligible to apply for the Silver Awards?

Graduates of the Nursing, Midwifery, Allied Health, Chiropractic, Clinical Psychology, Healthcare Scientists, Health Visiting, Operating Department Practice, Optometry and Dispensing Opticians, Osteopaths, Pharmacy Professions, Non-Medical Public Health Specialty Trainees, Specialists and Consultants and Wider Dental Team Professionals’ who are currently registered and have a strong interest in, and suitability for, a research focused clinical career and have a research focused Master’s.

4. Do applicants need to be employed by the NHS or can they come from organisations that provide NHS services such as social enterprises, or the independent sector?

Funding for the Clinical Scholar programme will only cover those engaged in the delivery of NHS funded services.

5. Can HEI employees apply if they can demonstrate engagement in clinical practice?

An employee of a Higher Education Institution (HEI) would be eligible to apply if they:

Also have a contract with an NHS employer, or a provider engaged in the delivery of NHS funded services

Are a graduate, and are currently registered as a Nurse, Midwife, Allied Health Professional, Health Visitor, Pharmacist, Wider Dental Team Member, Operating Department Practitioner or Clinical Psychologist with a strong interest in, and suitability for a research focused clinical career

Have a strong interest in, and suitability for a research focused clinical career

Have the support of their service provider organisation

6. What is the timetable for applications to the Clinical Scholar Silver Awards?

The Silver Award will commence 16th November 2016. The Silver Award needs to be completed by October 2017.

7.How long is the Silver Award programme?

The Silver Award programme will take place over a period of 48 days, starting on the 16th November 2016 – October 2017. The 48 days will include 10 mandatory educational days but otherwise is flexible to the needs of the Clinical Scholar and their organisation. These days are to be negotiated with the employer organisation and academic mentor.

8. Would an AHP with a Master’s in Physiotherapy who wants to apply for an NIHR Doctoral in Clinical Research award be eligible to apply for an Award?

The Silver Award programme will be open to graduates who have a higher level formal training in research (see also 3). Practitioners who have achieved a professional Master’s, such as MSc in Physiotherapy or MA Art Therapy, which did not include higher level formal training in research, are also likely to be eligible for the Silver Award.

9. Can projects that require ethical approval be undertaken as part of the Award Programmes?

The timeframe for the Silver Awards Programmes (12 months) often does not allow enough time for application and acquisition of ethical approval. Therefore is it recommended that Scholars do not undertake projects that require ethical approval. If a Scholar wishes to undertake such a project they should discuss this with their mentor as soon as possible upon commencing the programme. It is also recommended that they contact their Trust Research and Development Lead. Please note that the output expectations will remain the same for those undertaking a project requiring ethical approval (see 10.)

10. What are the expectations for the Award Programmes?

Clinical Scholars undertaking the Silver Award are expected to:

Attend and participate in a bespoke educational programme

The dates of which are as follows:-Week 1 Day 1:Wednesday 16th November 2016-Week 3 Day 2:Wednesday 30th November 2016 Optional Refreshero-Week 4 Day 3:Wednesday 7th December 2016-Week 5 to 19 Bespoke Training and Protocol Presentations-Week 20 Day 4: Wednesday 24th May 2017-Week 24 Day 5:Wednesday 21st June 2017-Week 26 Day 6:Wednesday 5th July 2017-Week 40 Day 7: 10th October 2017 Dissemination Event